The Baltimore Orioles have purchased the contract of Kyle Mertins. Mertins spent the entire 2012 season with the Sioux Falls Pheasants of the American Association.

Mertins who was originally drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 28th round of the 2010 MLB June Amateur Draft, put up phenomenal numbers for the Pheasants.

According to the American Association press release, Mertins was primarily used as an eighth inning or set-up guy. In 45 appearances and over the course of 54 innings, he gave up 36 hits, struck out 54 batters. Now for the good part! Mertins gave up six earned runs for a 1.00 ERA. His WHIP was a miniscule 0.926.

How good is he? 40 of his appearances were scoreless.

Baseball America even had Mertins as the 19th rated Independent Prospect in their year end review.

When you think of it, this is really a no risk move for both parties.

The Orioles get a player with three years of professional experience, and had pretty good success while playing in Rome; the Braves Class A Affiliate. In 2011 he posted a 2.25 ERA in 29 innings.

On the other end of the spectrum, Mertins could be another diamond in the rough, another player who has not hit his peak.

Look at other top Indy prospects who have been signed within the past few months; Kevin Gelinas, Blake Gailen, Ryan Harvey and now Mertins. It’s no coincidence this keeps happening. These guys have talent.